TIM Ludeman produced the most destructive knock of his career to ignite Adelaide Strikers to victory against Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League opener.
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The 27-year-old Nestles export smashed five sixes and nine fours in making 92 not out off 44 balls at Adelaide Oval on Thursday night, breaking BBL records in the process.
His 18-ball half-century was the fastest in competition history while his five sixes were the most by a Strikers batsman. The knock was also the highest BBL score at the ground.
The Strikers finished at 4-149, surpassing the Stars' 7-148 with an astounding 45 balls to spare. Fellow opener Craig Simmons made 30 off 15 while Travis Head posted 22 off 15.
Ludeman, speaking to Channel 10 after receiving man-of-the-match honours in front of 27,425 fans, played down his heroics.
"It was nice to get away to a good start. The bowlers did a good job to restrict the Stars, with a strong batting line-up, to a good total. All credit goes to the bowlers first," he said.
Ludeman said the records were "a bonus, it's good to get the win".
He said the Strikers were pleased to exact revenge on the Stars, who defeated them by eight wickets at the MCG last season after making just 9-90.
"We got pants-ed I suppose last year there and I suppose we did the same to them tonight. It was good to one back over them," he said.
"I think it's massive to get momentum, especially against the Stars, they're going to be up there or thereabouts.
"It's great to get a win against them and great to get our campaign underway for our fans."
Ludeman spoke to The Standard in the lead-up to the BBL opener, declaring he wanted to open for the Strikers, as he did two seasons ago with effect.
"If the opportunity came around, I'd open. It's good fun in Twenty20 cricket. You've got a licence to slog it," he said.
"Starting off, that's what I did in a lot of my Twenty20 cricket, open the batting, especially with Carlton and in grade cricket set-ups."
He entered the BBL with knocks of 106 in the Sheffield Shield and 49 not out in the domestic one-day cup for South Australia to his name this season.
But his latest effort proves he can adapt to all formats and will have caught the attention of national selectors, particularly with Brad Haddin in the twilight of his career.
Tasmanian Ben Dunk was Australian's wicket keeper in the Twenty20 series against South Africa last month while Victorian Matt Wade took the gloves in the one-day series.
Ludeman, West Australian Sam Whiteman, New South Wales' Peter Nevill and Queenslander Chris Hartley are the other wicket keepers at Shield level.
But there has been no indication as to who will be the long-term option to replace Haddin in the national set-up.
And with the Cricket World Cup on the horizon in February and March, the BBL offers the contenders a timely opportunity to stake their claims for selection.